I'm currently at 28 weeks and started getting cramps in my calves about 2 weeks ago. They haven't been too bad in the last few days though. I didn't have any (or just don't remember) 7 years ago so it was new to me. Then I opened a pregnancy book to the 2nd and 3rd trimester and found out that they are common! There doesn't seem to be a consensus on how to help decrease them, but stretching before going to bed and throughout the day is also recommended which has seemed to help me. I'm also having really bad heartburn and have to take Pepcid twice daily now and drink milk before going to bed and in the middle of the night if needed. I cannot get myself to take Tums.

Sarah

Hi,

I'm currently at 28 weeks and started getting cramps in my calves about 2 weeks ago. They haven't been too bad in the last few days though. I didn't have any (or just don't remember) 7 years ago so it was new to me. Then I opened a pregnancy book to the 2nd and 3rd trimester and found out that they are common! There doesn't seem to be a consensus on how to help decrease them, but stretching before going to bed and throughout the day is also recommended which has seemed to help me. I'm also having really bad heartburn and have to take Pepcid twice daily now and drink milk before going to bed and in the middle of the night if needed. I cannot get myself to take Tums.

I lived on TUMS (on my doctor's advice) while I was pregnant. She said it helps with the heartburn, provides extra Ca, and it helped manage leg cramps for me. You could ask your doctor about taking them. I find bananas and potatoes pretty effective medicine for leg cramps too.

I lived on TUMS (on my doctor's advice) while I was pregnant. She said it helps with the heartburn, provides extra Ca, and it helped manage leg cramps for me. You could ask your doctor about taking them. I find bananas and potatoes pretty effective medicine for leg cramps too.

Well muscle contraction is controlled by the exchange of primarily potassium, sodium, and calcium. A depletion of any of these can cause muscle cramps. Most people get more than enough sodium so its probably not that unless you are drinking an insane amount of water that is washing it out. it is probably the potassium and calcium. While bananas are the most widely known source of potassium they aren't actually the best. If you google foods with potassium it will bring up a list. i hate bananas and never eat them. Lots of other good sources. if you are having trouble with the dairy for the calcium try some things that are fortified. A great example is the OJ that is fortified with vitamins and calcium. I can't think of any more right now but if you get to looking around there are some things available. Hope your cramps get better. I found that I craved lots of potatoes and tomatoes while I was pregnant and got horrible leg cramps if I didn't keep it up. Also with the heart burn you might talk to your dr. I was on zantac twice a day, reglan four times a day and prilosec once a day. My heart burn made me want to vomit most of the time. I think I would have preferred morning sickness, well maybe. They say no two pregnancies are alike. Just breathe. Only 30 weeks or so to go.

Well muscle contraction is controlled by the exchange of primarily potassium, sodium, and calcium. A depletion of any of these can cause muscle cramps. Most people get more than enough sodium so its probably not that unless you are drinking an insane amount of water that is washing it out. it is probably the potassium and calcium. While bananas are the most widely known source of potassium they aren't actually the best. If you google foods with potassium it will bring up a list. i hate bananas and never eat them. Lots of other good sources. if you are having trouble with the dairy for the calcium try some things that are fortified. A great example is the OJ that is fortified with vitamins and calcium. I can't think of any more right now but if you get to looking around there are some things available. Hope your cramps get better. I found that I craved lots of potatoes and tomatoes while I was pregnant and got horrible leg cramps if I didn't keep it up. Also with the heart burn you might talk to your dr. I was on zantac twice a day, reglan four times a day and prilosec once a day. My heart burn made me want to vomit most of the time. I think I would have preferred morning sickness, well maybe. They say no two pregnancies are alike. Just breathe. Only 30 weeks or so to go.

This pregnancy is shaping up to be sooooo different... not only do I have food aversions, I'm nauseous, have heart burn and now... leg cramps. Just my left calf, it feels better if I keep wiggling my foot around, I have a doc appointment on Wednesday so I'm going to mention it then... but anyone else have leg cramps and any ideas on how to get rid of them? I drink a ton of water, I'm trying to get better about eating bananas and dairy.

This pregnancy is shaping up to be sooooo different... not only do I have food aversions, I'm nauseous, have heart burn and now... leg cramps. Just my left calf, it feels better if I keep wiggling my foot around, I have a doc appointment on Wednesday so I'm going to mention it then... but anyone else have leg cramps and any ideas on how to get rid of them? I drink a ton of water, I'm trying to get better about eating bananas and dairy.